What Two Days On A Commercial Set Produces

I'm often asked to explain exactly what I do for work.  I think most people get that I am a "personal shopper," but I think the whole "wardrobe stylist" reference can be perplexing.  So, I am a wardrobe stylist specializing in personal (individuals), commercial (businesses) and editorial (magazine) work.  I recently got my hands on some photos from a commercial job last summer for Meineke.  We shot in August and in the South.  It was about 95 degrees and humid, that day, like most summer days here are.  So the image below with the young people having fun going camping; Yep!  It was smoking hot, and they were layered in cold weather clothing. There was even a campfire scene!  I thought I'd share are a few outtakes and fun shots from the two days on set for Meineke.  Days like this are typically very long and hard working but a LOT of fun!

Mark Hanson Photography

Advanced Style

For many years now I have been following Ari Seth Cohen's high fashion, documentary style blog showcasing the street style of mature women and men live from the sidewalks of Manhattan and other great cities alike.  The stylish ladies he features, and their conviction to always put their most fashionable foot forward, remind me of both my Grandmother and Great Grandmother.  If the mailman was the only person she was to see that day my Grandmother was dressed to impress, masterfully accessorized, donning a perfectly coiffed hairstyle, finished off with a bright red or pink lipstick.

Below are a few recent images from Advanced Style.  Be sure to head over there, and actually, you should lock this one in your feed.  We could all take a fashion hint from these fearless style setters. 

I ordered the documentary and cannot wait to watch it this weekend with a girlfriend over wine and pasta.  I'll be sure to share my review!

Don't Stop Til You Get Enough

Photography: Ellie Lacey and on Instagram.  Pants: ASOS. Blouse: Cynthia Rowley. Jacket: Vintage from summerbird. Shoes: Brian Atwood. Hat: Eugenia Kim. Square Ring: Melinda Maria. Cross Bracelet: Thanks to blydesign. Earrings: from ChezElle Boutique.

I call this one of my "train wreck" or "sh&t mess" outfits.  I love it.  I just keep going and going and going. Coco said take one off.  I put one on.  I love it so much I just can't stop.  Michael said it too.  Don't stop 'til you get enough.  On this day, I just could not get enough.

Join Me For Style Night On East Blvd

I'm thrilled to be a part of a fun night of style, style and more style next Wednesday, February 18th.  Won't you please join me  for an evening of style hosted by one of my most favorite boutiques in town, summerbird, (think all things couture at the girl next door's price point) and the QC's leader in men's upscale consignment, Revolve Consignment.  Music will be playing, discounts will be discounting throughout both stores, fantastic art work and jewels will be on display, Three Hunters Vodka is hosting a special tasting, light bites provided for all, Jeffre Scott Apothecary will be on site to doll you up, and I will be styling the night away along with fellow stylist Julian Clark.  Oh, and who doesn't love a raffle giveaway?  Style, fun and more style.  And oh, did I say fun?  Grab a girl or guy friend, and come on!

Piles + Pipes

This is another outfit on my recent fabulously fantastic day shooting with Cousin Ellie (Instagram).  I've tried to hide skin in my car more times than I can count, nursing a couple of babies and now doing this outfit changing thing for the last three years... you could say I got it down pat.  No science.  More like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon slouched between two car seats, or  "hey what are you looking at creep!"  BUT, this particular day, at a construction site, was a first. Mama, I know I make you proud in so many (other) ways.  But, it's all for the ART! T-u-hee Hee.  Thanks Cousin Ellie.  You rock. And thanks cooler than cool friend since the 6th grade for the chloe + isabel earrings (and not only saying that because her Aunt dated a Rolling Stone) and thanks awesome newer Charlotte friend for the W by Worth dress up party at your enviously SICK mid-century modern pad on crack.  Last, but not least, I can't tell you how much I LOVE the creators of Julie Lopez Shoes... My booties here.. comfy for days, as are all of their Italian made shoes (recently endorsed by OPRAH).  Piles + Pipes. Nothing but love.

Mad For Plaid

The above tartan plaid Pendleton coat that belonged to my Grandmother is one of my favorites.  It is so well made, cozy and totally showstopper chic.  From plaid pants to coats, blankets and even a flask for him, this plaid remix has got you totally covered during the winter months!

'Tis The Season

Photograhy: Zach Alston. Models: Emma Claris and Tyler Von Seggern (Marilyn's Model and Talent Management). Hair and Makeup: Tia Rivers. Freaturing Kristin Hayes Jewelry.

'Tis the Season from one very special young couple on their first Christmas together!  This photo shoot with models Emma and Tyler was so much fun.  Everything about it was so magical and perfect.  Thank you to a good friend for opening her gorgeous home.  It was all made for a very prominent magazine if you ask me!  I had to get in on the action in the last picture.  How do you like my sexy tough model pose?  Ha!  Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope yours was filled with love, laughter, family and eggnog to your hearts delight.

Chelsea's Christmas Outfit

Let me have that green tulle skirt, please!  Just click on the cross mark above to shop any of the items directly from this page. Who is Chelsea you say?  Please join me in extending a warm welcome to my new Chief Creative Officer!  I am so excited.  Words cannot say!  This girl has got it going on and is just so stunning on the inside and out.  I am feeling a very lucky girl to be able to call her a part of the team!  Carrie Bradshaw lovers unite!  You simply must WATCH...

Purchase a Stylist's Opinion

More and more these days I get picture texts and emails from friends, clients, neighbors, family members, etc asking me for my opinion on their outfits.  And I love it.  Fast forward to this week, I was sitting in the car with a client, looking through clothes we ordered for her on-line and brainstorming outfit ideas.  She is a busy mom and business owner who manages a large team and spends a lot of her time coming and going.  Then some days she works from home. For those of us who do, me included, we know it is easy to fall into the trap of wearing our comfiest yoga pants and hooded sweatshirt.  Case in point... 

Anyway, she was saying how much she liked our most recent shop and share method... She just needed a few great going out tops.  I'd hit most local stores and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I did a quick search of my favorite on-line sites and came up with about 20 for her to consider.  I sent her over a link, she purchased a handful of favorites and then sent me pictures for approval.  Easy peasy and done.  Not everyone can afford a personal stylist, and not everyone needs one.  What I have often found is that many of my clients, friends and family members, just need permission.  And with that, the birth of Purchase A Stylist's Opinion!

Not sure what to give your Sister In Law for Christmas?  For $75, I'll send you images for 25 items.  You tell me you need a dress, you get 25 dress selections.  You tell me you need three outfits for an upcoming wedding weekend, you get four outfits head to toe...whatever the case may be, I'll send images for the very coolest and most unique items on the market. Just like that.  I love helping others look and feel their best, and I'm excited to offer this opportunity that is attainable to everyone.  

Email me at whitley@thequeencitystyle.com 

Happy Weekend! xo

Clever Clutch

This post is precipitated by that lovely little lad in the far left bottom corner.  I saw the lucite blox clutch (by Rafe New York) with it's tortoise and marble pattern swirling right off the pages of my InStyle Magazine, and it had to be mine.  Then, I got to wondering, how many other stellar box clutches are out there just waiting to be had.  Turns out there a right many. The only determination will be which one will you be carrying with your LBD this holiday season and to forever and eternity?  Shop below a few that caught my eye.

Styling Mollie Bradford

From a styling standpoint, this is probably one of my favorites of all time.  It's no secret I love, love dichotomous fashion.  In this case, I mixed some of the most fantastic vintage garments I could find.  If you are in the Charlotte area, surely you've visited Sleepy Poet Antique Mall. Sequestered in the middle (only because everything is sequestered in this unfathomable shop within a shop warehouse) is Kitschy-Cool-Vintage.  From costume to everyday wear, you will find some of the most unique pieces at an accessible (thank you for turned me onto this word Emily Maynard) price.  Zach Alston captured model Mollie as a China Doll dream.

Three

It's been three years since I launched this little place in internet space.  I can't believe it's been three years!  It's been so fun growing, learning, all the challenges, all of the fun, the amazing, awesome people I meet. The creative opportunities, my BUSINESS which has grown out of this little place in internet space.  Never did I think a private hobby would grow to be my dreams coming true.  Literally!  This whole fashion/style obsession started for me as a teeny thing, and now I have finally found a way to make my passion into something REAL!  I don't think I will ever be able to fully convey the joy I have felt, as a result.  Every. Step. Of. The. Way.  And new even more exciting things are yet to come.  Thank you to everyone who has commented here, not commented but enjoyed reading, reached across the produce aisle to introduce do themselves to me or flung themselves into a late night introductory embrace at Selwyn Pub. Meeting readers is the coolest thing... until that person says "Whoa Crazy Nelly. We just met. You can stop hugging me now!"  That's really the only way I know how to be though.  Grateful. Happy. Overjoyed. Thanks for being here.  Whether you've been following along the journey for the last three years, or you stumbled upon the Queen City Style yesterday, thanks for being here.  A few favorites from over the years...

Organize Your Closet

Here's your quick and easy, free advice folks!  My friends over at Simplicity, Charlotte's organization guru squad share the quick and dirty on how to organize your closet.  Check it out for yourself, or learn more about Simplicity here.

Engagement Gone Gorgeous

Donna recently took these photos of my family's precious neighbors and good friends, Lauren and Sterling, along with their babies Simba and Bear, and they are just too gorgeous for me not to share.  Congratulations to these two beautiful people!  You may contact Donna here.

You Can Leave Your Vest On

I have been shopping for fur vests for the last week for two clients, and as a result of my determination to uncover every last viable option, considering quality and price, I can with an insurmountable level of confidence, unequivocally, I am the authority on the current vest market, at least as it pertains to my own personal taste!  But truly, if you love a good vest as much as I do, I hope you enjoy my round up of all things vest from everyday casual to wanna be duck hunter to fancy night out on the town!

Some more outfit inspiration for you!

The SoGood Feature

Thank you to The SoGood for the very kind and most generous article.  If you are not already linked in to The SoGood, it is an amazing one of a kind, trend setting network of artists, makers and entrepreneurs, in some of America's coolest cities, all working to serve the same purpose: to make life SoGood.  In the article I share some quick and dirty fashion advice for the new mom, the first date and more, as well as my Top Recommendations in Charlotte.  See it here.

J.Crew Factory Mega Sale

Remember this outfit?  My Mom On The Go one built by (almost) all things awesome from J.Crew Factory?

Well, J.Crew Factory is having a BIG sale on ALL these things and more... A whopping 50% off all men's and women's clothes and 40% off all boys and girls. The sale runs through the end of day tomorrow, October 12, so this is the time to do your Christmas/Birthday/Father's Day/Best Friend shopping, friends.  The discount is taken after the below prices!

Shop my favorites FOR HER: 

Shop my favorites FOR HIM:

Black + Pop Of Color

This week one of my awesome clients appeared on Good Day Carolinas for one of her repeat segments. Before I get into the fashion part, if you have middle school children in your life, you need Michelle and/or her program, Michelle in the Middle, in your life.  You thought middle school was tough then?  Well, you weren't alone, but lucky for kids today living in the Charlotte area, Michelle Icard is doing something BIG to change the difficult middle school paradigm. Through public speaking engagements and curriculum based programs, Michelle works with parents to help ease adolescent social stress. So proud to be associated with this totally cool gal.  Check out her most recent segment, here, as she encourages middle schoolers to take risks.

Naturally, the Michelle in the Middle Facebook page was blowing up with raves of excellence for Michelle's message. Not only that, however, fans were going crazy for her skirt!  Michelle paired a simple black top, black tights and black booties with a pop of color in this chartreuse mini from J.Crew.  Easy as that! 

Bring your black basics center stage with a bright pop of color, and you'll be leading the charge. Below are a few options for you, and don't forget the booties and a great bag too!

If the exact color does not appear below, click on the item you like for more options...

Fashion, Metaphorically Speaking

You may recall my trip this spring to Pawleys Island where I took pleasure in participating in a fundraiser to benefit the Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art.  I had a wonderful time presenting a fashion show of sorts styling clothes from some of the local boutiques. One of the Grand Strand's magazines, Sasee, a women's lifestyle magazine, covered the event, including an interview with me!  The entire experience was so fun, and I felt very honored to be a part of it all.  But then, I returned home to an email from the editor saying the owner of the magazine wanted to know if I would be willing to be a contributor!  I am much obliged for the opportunity. I think I may have written my most meaningful piece to date in the September issue.  I was actually at Pawleys Island when I wrote it, engrossed in the curiously powerful novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany, not my typical thoughtless page turning of InStyle, Lucky or Domino Magazine, so I think the novel must have had an impact on the tone for my writing.  At any rate, I am excited to share it with you, and if you would like, you may read it here.  While I am writing a style column, you will see fashion is a metaphor for so much more.

Outfit Details: High Fashion For Less

Here's my High Fashion For Less outfit from yesterday's segment on Charlotte Today.  In case you missed it, you can watch it here. I went straight to Polo Ralph Lauren Factory for my exciting collaboration with Concord Mills.  I've always looked the classic timeless looks consistently created by the Ralph Lauren brand.  Equestrian is so Town & Country, so rich.  I've enjoyed dressing a couple of models in this type of look, and so I was excited to dress myself up in it and step out for a quick spin!  Head on over to Concord Mills, or shop any of the items below straight from this page!